Speaking on the occasion, Smt Sitharaman said India being one of the largest procurer of defence equipment, the emphasis on indigenisation has to be reiterated, which has happened in the last four years. She stated that if India were to be a manufacturing hub for Defence products, indigenization has got to be on the top of the agenda. She said that manufacturing cannot be continuously and constantly with borrowed technology and hence that is where DRDO's Research & Development plays a very critical role.

The Raksha Mantri congratulated all the scientists who received the awards and wished them a great bright future. She also wished the organisation and all its scientists the very best.

The Chairman DRDO and Secretary Department of Defence R&D, Dr S Christopher also addressed the function and e-launched the 'Navrachna' implementation programme during the event. It was attended by senior officials from the three Services, DRDO and the Ministry of Defence.